Holokriinisenä

Holokriinisenä is a term used in biology, specifically in histology, to describe a mode of secretion by exocrine glands. It refers to the process where a cell, in the act of secreting its product, undergoes complete disintegration. The entire cell contents, including the nucleus and cytoplasm, are released as the secretion. This is in contrast to merocrine secretion, where the cell releases its product via exocytosis without apparent damage, and apocrine secretion, where a portion of the apical cytoplasm is shed along with the secretory product.

Glands that secrete holocrinely are characterized by the continuous production of new cells to replace those that are lost through secretion. This process is often slower than merocrine secretion because it involves the entire life cycle of the cell culminating in its destruction. Holocrine secretion is found in certain specialized glands, such as sebaceous glands in the skin, which produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair. The cells of the sebaceous gland accumulate lipids, and when mature, they rupture, releasing these lipids and cellular debris as sebum. The rapid turnover of cells ensures a continuous supply of this secretion. Understanding holokriinisenä secretion is important for comprehending the physiology and function of various glandular tissues.